More Fianna Fáil bluster as Wind Turbine Bill rejected – Tóibín

The Bill sought to ensure that community consultation was
integral to the development of wind energy and proposed measures including
minimum setback distances and optional co-ownership for local residents.

While at national level modest protections such as this
safeguarding local communities are being rejected, locally both Fianna Fáil and
Fine Gael councillors in areas across the state are rejecting the development
of any wind turbines at all in their locality.

Deputy Tóibín said:

“Last night, the Sinn Féin Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016
was brought to the Dáil whose purpose was to protect rural communities and to
give them a voice as regards the development of wind farms in their locality.

“The Bill was to put a legal framework for wind farm
development by the proposal of setback distance of ten times the height of the
turbine, along with provisions to protect against noise and shadow flicker. The
Bill also allowed for both optional community ownership and greater
consultation.

“The Bill was rejected by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael
last night. These modest protections for local communities are being rejected
at a national level – while in local councils across the state Fianna Fáil and
Fine Gael councillors are actually rejecting proposals for the development of
wind turbines at all. This opposition to wind turbines locally is flying in the
face of their TDs who argued last night that having minimum setback distances
would hamper the development of renewable energy in Ireland.

“We have seen how greatly rural communities have suffered
and continue to suffer because of a lack of consultation and legislation in the
erection of these turbines. What is especially galling is that Fianna Fáil and
the government did not object to a similar bill when it was initially tabled
2014 by Sinn Féin. This Bill was allowed to progress unopposed until it
withered in committee.

“There is a dire need for a firm legal framework
for wind farm development to safeguard our rural regions and the two-faced
hypocrisy of both Fianna Fáil and the government are making this impossible.”